How to Give Back with Your Kids

It’s my favorite time of the year. I absolutely love the holidays, and I especially love all of the creative ways we can give back with our kids this time of year!

A quick internet search can give you a million ways to give back – especially during the holidays. Here are a few of my favorites:

Go Elfing

One of my My Life and Kids readers, Heather, gets her kids involved in giving back: “We go Elfing… leaving fun little surprises on doors of friends and neighbors, ringing the bell, and running like crazy!”

Adopt a Family

You and your friends can adopt a family together, or you can find a giving tree that allows you to sponsor toys for children in need. We always include our children in the shopping, so they can start to understand what it means to help others.

24 Days of Kindness

One of my readers, Jessica, does 24 Days of Kindness from December 1st – 24th. One small (or big) act of kindness for someone else every single day in December. How cool is that?

Make Cookies

You can deliver cookies and treats to your local fire station, police department, and even the staff at your local hospital. They work hard to keep us safe all year round!

Get Creative

My friend Beth hosts a cookie decorating party for her son’s friends every year. The moms drop their kids off for three hours.

The kids get to decorate cookies and play fun Christmas games while their moms get three hours to run errands.

Beth asks everyone that comes to bring a new, unused toy that she donates to our local children’s hospital.

Special Hostess Gifts

If you’re hosting a party this holiday season, ask your guests to make a donation to the charity of your choice instead of bringing you a bottle of wine or a hostess gift. You can collect their checks and make a donation after the party.

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Have your kids draw pictures and write letters to send to our veterans who are spending their holidays in the hospital instead of at home with their families. Go Kid Yourself shares more information on how you can get involved with this wonderful program.

Hi, my name is Anna, and I had three kids in three years. Now I spend my days wearing mom jeans and driving a minivan. I find the fun in my everyday life and share humorous stories about my kids, my husband and my mother on my blog, My Life and Kids. And - yes - sometimes that means I'm teaching you how to make farting noises with a straw in your armpit.

Wonderful suggestions! We’ve never gone ‘elfing’ – that sounds like fun :) One of our traditions is to create all the tags for the angels adopted at our church. And I love your idea of mail for our soldiers!!

Great post Anna and love the Holiday cookie party. My younger is born right around Thanksgiving time (her birthday falls on Black Friday this year) and think as she gets older could even use this as a Birthday party idea, too!!
Thanks :)

This is a real awsome post. Very helpful. I think I might want to sit down and help my kids write some heroes-mail tonight. Good luck to you tonight :-)

Hi! I'm Mique(Like Mickey!) I started 30days several years ago as my idea file. After 5 years and thousands of ideas, I realize I'll never be able to check them all off my list. I'm a married mom of 3 active kids trying to juggle it all. Thanks for spending part of your day with me! Read More...